Blumenthal Slams DHS Secretary Noem for Living Rent-Free in Prestigious, Waterfront Military Housing, Calls for Oversight Hearing

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem following recent reporting by The Washington Post that she was living for free in a military home typically reserved for the Coast Guard Commandant, the top admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard. In the letter, Blumenthal sought details regarding Noem’s living arrangement and questioned Noem’s reasoning for living in the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence at the expense of taxpayers and service members. Other Cabinet-level officials who live on military installations – such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and, during President Trump’s first term, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo – pay rent.

“You have apparently been occupying this residence for an undetermined length of time without paying rent, marking a striking departure from other cabinet secretaries. Your spokesperson indicated this was because you felt unsafe in your current apartment, yet you continue to pay rent on that apartment,” wrote Blumenthal. “Like all Americans, you deserve to feel safe where you live, but your position as Secretary does not grant you the special privilege of taxpayer-funded housing.”

Blumenthal cited past reporting of Noem misusing taxpayer dollars as heightening concerns surrounding Noem’s living arrangement, writing “Your rent-free occupation of the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence is extremely troubling in light of past reports of your suspect management of taxpayer funds and concealment of financial information.”

Blumenthal also wrote to U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, calling for an oversight hearing to examine Noem’s living arrangement in government housing at the expense of taxpayers and service members.

“The questionable arrangements surrounding Secretary Noem’s rent-free occupancy in the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence demand prompt congressional scrutiny. As the U.S. Senate Committee with primary jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security, I respectfully request that you schedule a hearing of the Committee in September where Secretary Noem can testify about the details of her free housing provided by the branch of the armed services over which she has direct authority,” wrote Blumenthal to Paul.

Blumenthal’s letter to Noem can be found here and below, and his letter to Paul can be found here.

Dear Secretary Noem,

I write to demand information in light of recent reporting indicating you are living in the Coast Guard Commandant’s quarters at the expense of American taxpayers and service members.

As Secretary of Homeland Security, you have authority over the United States Coast Guard, raising serious questions about how you came to occupy one of its most prestigious, waterfront residences on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC. You have apparently been occupying this residence for an undetermined length of time without paying rent, marking a striking departure from other cabinet secretaries.^[1] For example, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s rent is more than $4,600 per month to live at Fort McNair, also in Washington, DC.^[2] Your spokesperson indicated this was because you felt unsafe in your current apartment, yet you continue to pay rent on that apartment.^[3] Like all Americans, you deserve to feel safe where you live, but your position as Secretary does not grant you the special privilege of taxpayer-funded housing.

Your rent-free occupation of the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence is extremely troubling in light of past reports of your suspect management of taxpayer funds and concealment of financial information. As governor of South Dakota, you spent more than $150,000 of taxpayer funds on political and personal activity, including $7,555 for a six-day trip to Paris and $2,200 for a trip to Houston for dental work, and failed to disclose who paid for these trips until you became Secretary.^[4] You also charged South Dakotan taxpayers $68,000 to install a sauna, chandeliers, and rugs in the governor’s mansion.^[5] Moreover, an investigation earlier this year revealed you failed to publicly disclose an $80,000 payment made directly to a company you own from a non-profit that promotes you and that you helped raise money for.^[6]

To help me better understand how you came to your current living arrangement, please provide detailed written responses to the following questions by August 22, 2025:

1. What date did you move into the quarters on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling?
2. Please describe the circumstances surrounding this move, including whether you or the Coast Guard initiated discussions.
3. Please explain your reason for occupying a military residence without paying rent.
4. What date do you intend to return to the apartment that you currently pay for? If no such date exists, please explain your plan for securing a permanent residence in the metro Washington, D.C. area.
5. Do you think you should live in the Coast Guard Commandant’s quarters without paying rent? Why?

Thank you for your attention to this letter, and I await your prompt response.

Sincerely,

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